Article holder



Patented July 31, 1 934 4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in article holders and has particular relation" to an article holder such as is to be secured to a wall or other support to receive a broom handle or other object or article and hold it or support it in a vertical or substantially verticalposition.

The invention provides a simple and inexpensive means for the purpose stated and the objec'ts and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein a satisfactory embodiment. of the invention is shown. However; it W111 be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all suchvariations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of I the appended claims.

In the drawing Fig. l is a front elevational view showing the improved holder secured in place as to a wall or the like;

. Fig. 2 is a top plan view showing the device in closed position clamping or holding an article as a broom handle;

Fig. 3 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 2 but showing the relative location of the parts of the device when an article is being inserted or removed; I

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view through the device when in closed position;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 5--5 of Fig. 2;

" Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view through one of the arms of the device prior to completion of the same;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a block of rubber, leather or the like used in the arms;

and

Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the stamping which is to form the body prior to the bending or folding of said stamping.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the improved holder includes a base generally designated 10 and which is preferably formed. of one piece of metal the pattern of blank of which is shown in Fig. 8. This base includes an enlarged I central portion 11 having openings for the passage of screws or other fastening means 12 whereby the base may be secured to any suitable support as a wall or the like. The base extends from opposite sides of the portion 11 whereby it ineludes portions 13 and carried by each of said portions 13 is a pair of arms 14, the arms of each pair being arranged in parallel relation and extending in the same direction from the base.

As disclosed, the arms 14 extend from intermediate portions of the base portions 13 and be-' yond said arms the ends of the base portions provide lugs 15 which are bent up at the outer edges of the arms to give the device a more finished appearance. Obviously, the arms at each end of the body constitute a pair and the arms of each pair are spaced apart and receive between them holding members or arms 16 and 17. Arms 16 and 17 identical in construction and as best shown in Figs, 5 and fi, each is formed from a single piece of metalibent upon itself to provide side portions 18" and 19 one of which adjacent its free edge carries a hook 20 while the other carries a lip 2l to engage therewith and lock said free edge portions together.

Between its side portions 18 and 19 each of the arms 16 and 17 receives a block or filler 22 of leather, rubber or the like. These blocks of material 22 substantially fill the arms which are hollow and in its outer edge each block has a notch 23 to accommodate the hook and lip structure 20 and 21. Arms 16 and 1'7 are shown as somewhat horn-shaped although this is not essential it merely being desirable that they each have a curved or arcuate edge and it will be noted that the rubber or other yielding insert or block 3,, 22 of each arm extends inwardly of the curved edge of the arm as at 24.

The holding members or arms 16 and 17 are pivotally mounted intermediate their ends as by pins 25 extending between the pairs of supporting arms 14 and passing through the arms 16 and 1'7. Arms 16 and 17 are mounted with their curved or arcuate edges in opposed relation and, their curvature is such that when they are in closed position about an object as for example a broom handle 27 their outer portions 28 overlap said object at its outer side. Therefore, when the object 27 is pulled forwardly out of the holder it swings the arms 16 and 17 into an open position as best shown in Fig. 3.

This brings the inner portions 29 of the arms into closer relation as will be apparent from a comparison of Figs. 2 and 3 and when an object is again inserted it is passed between the outer portions 28 of the arms and will engage their inner portions pushing them inwardly and rocking the arms on their pivots so as to again dispose the outer portions of the arms at the outer side of the object. The relationship of the pivots 25 to the arms 16 and 17 is such that when an object is being held the center of that object is in line with the pivots so that lateral pressure is exerted against the pivots and a sort of toggle action is obtained. This action is furthered by the yielding of the projecting portions 24 of the blocks 22 and the object is therefore tightly clamped in place.

It will also be noted that the portions 24 of the yielding blocks will prevent marring or scratching of the broom handle 27 or other object. When the catch or lock means comprising the portions 2c and 21 is once engaged it requires no further attention since the side portions 18 and 19 of the holding members or arms are then tightly or rigidly connected it being understood that they must be forced or sprung together, partly against the action of the yielding blocks 22, in order that the parts 20 and 21 may be engaged and locked.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. In an article holder, a base, a pair or" arms pivoted intermediate their ends and supported by said base for pivotal movement toward and from each other, said arms having arcuate edges which are opposed to each other when the arms are in closed positions and their outer end portions are in substantially abutting relation, said arms adapted to receive an article between them, and each of said arms comprising a piece of metal bent upon itself to form a hollow housing and a bloclr of yielding material in said housing and projecting beyond the arcuate edge of the arm.

2. In an article holder, a base, a pair of arms on said base adjacent each of its ends, a pair of holding members disposed one between the arms of each of said pair of arms, means pivotally mounting said holding members on the arms be-- tween which they are disposed, said holding members pivoted intermediate their ends, each or said holding members having an arcuate edge, said holding members mounted with their said arcuate edges in opposed relation to clamp an article between them, and each of said holding members comprising a piece of metal bent upon itself to form a hollow housing and a block of yielding material in said housing and projecting beyond the arcuate edge of the holding member.

3. In an article holder, a base, a pair of arms pivoted intermediate their ends and supported by said base for pivotal movement toward and from each other, said arms having arcuate edges which are opposed to each other when the arms are in closed positions and their outer end portions are in substantially abutting relation, said arms adapted to receive an article between them, and each of said arms comprising a piece of metal bent upon itself to form a hollow housing and a bi cl: of live rubber in said housing and projecting beyond the arcuate edge of the arm.

4. In an article holder, a base, a pair of arms pivoted intermediate their ends and supported by said base for pivotal movement toward and from each other, said arms having arcuate edges which are opposed to each other when the arms are in closed positions and their outer end portions are in substantially abutting relation, said arms adapted to receive an article between them, each of said arms comprising a piece of metal bent upon itself to form a pair of side portions, a block of yielding material between said portions and projecting beyond the curved edges of the arm, and said side portions each carrying a part of a locking means whereby when they are pressed toward one another about said block they are locked in such position.

JOHN MERHELL. 

